Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Man Charged With West Melbourne Motorcyclist's Death

MELBOURNE, Florida -- A Melbourne man has been charged with the death of a West Melbourne motorcyclist following a crash Tuesday evening.

Just after 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Melbourne police officers responded to the intersection of NASA Boulevard and Babcock Street for a traffic crash involving a vehicle and a motorcycle. According to witnesses, 23-year-old Edward Honiker of West Melbourne, Florida was riding on a 2012 Honda motorcycle westbound on NASA Boulevard.

Meanwhile, 50-year-old Edward Jakob of Melbourne, Florida was driving a 2005 BMW eastbound on NASA Boulevard. Police say that both vehicles entered the intersection of NASA Boulevard and Babcock Street simultaneously on a solid green light. Jakob then made a left turn in front of Honiker, causing both vehicles to collide. Honiker was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter and Jakob was not injured. Police say that there was no indication either driver was impaired at the time of the accident.

According to police, Jacob was charged with Violation of Right of Way Resulting in Death and for Operation of a Motor Vehicle with an Expired Driver's License because his Canadian driver's license expired in 2009. Jakob was taken into custody by police and transported to the Brevard County Jail where a bond has been set at $2,000, according to court records.

The Melbourne Police Department is currently investigating this incident and more information may be available at a later time. If you have any information, police ask that you please call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477).